The Killers (1946)

This was a pure treat from start (menace and sarcasm in a normally non-threatening setting) to the final surprise end. The story starts with a murder, then follows the subsequent life insurance investigation. This investigation turns up information from unwilling informants, spinning out the facts in flashback. "A Soldier's Story" copied its structure entirely from this earlier film.

One complaint -- after all is said and done, there's what I like to call a "Scooby-Doo wrap-up." You know, where Fred and Velma explain the mystery to the 3 and 4-year-olds who might not be able to put it together by themselves. Well, as I am an adult, I found this device unnecessary and vaguely insulting. Anyway, even if I had got lost in the plot twists, there's always the rewind button.

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